Program Manager(Space&Defense)

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a Program Manager to join a leading aerospace and defense composite manufacturer in Seattle, Washington operating as a business unit of a multi-site composites platform serving the space, defense, and aviation markets. The Program Manager serves as the primary customer advocate and internal execution owner for one or multiple programs of varying size and complexity. Programs have design engineering, manufacturing engineering, composites, and development components to them. The PM is involved from early customer contact through program completion — owning phase-gate execution, cross-functional coordination, proposal development, contract management, risk mitigation, and delivery performance. This is a hands-on role that requires direct engagement with shop floor teams, engineering, quality, and operations, not just program administration from a desk.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer communications regarding program schedules, technical requirements, contractual commitments, and status updates.
• Own overall program health across quality, cost, and delivery for one or multiple concurrent programs of varying size and complexity.
• Execute programs using the established New Product Development Phase-Gate process, adapting approach based on program maturity, risk, and customer requirements.
• Manage programs across all lifecycle phases — conception, terms and conditions, contractual agreements, design, development, manufacturing, test, fielding, accreditation, and initial logistics support.
• Lead Integrated Product Teams (IPTs); define work plans, responsibilities, and scope of authority across engineering, composites, manufacturing, quality, and operations.
• Lead or support the development of technical, contractual, and financial proposals in response to RFPs; take an active lead role in contract negotiation and contractual change management.
• Coordinate and monitor program performance across schedule, cost, and technical execution; adjust plans proactively and escalate issues when required.
• Identify program risks and implement mitigation strategies to maintain stability and delivery commitments.
• Review project status reports prepared by program personnel; prepare and present program updates to internal leadership and external customers.
• Confer with engineering personnel to provide technical guidance and resolve execution challenges.
• Support new business initiatives through application of existing composite product solutions and development of new products; engage directly with customer personnel at mid and senior management levels.
• Ensure compliance with internal procedures, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards including export control and ITAR requirements.
• Maintain accountability for the control and distribution of documents and equipment subject to export control restrictions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related technical field preferred.
• 5+ years of program or project management experience within an aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage programs across multiple lifecycle phases simultaneously, including development, manufacturing, and production.
• Experience executing within a formal program management framework; familiarity with phase-gate or NPD processes strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience working directly with engineering, composites, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams in a production-driven environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production constraints, and cost and schedule tradeoffs.
• Experience supporting customer-facing programs involving commercial or military aerospace requirements.
• Working knowledge of contract structures, RFP response development, change management, and customer-driven execution.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams, prioritize competing demands, and drive execution in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and presentation skills — comfortable delivering program status, risks, and recommendations to customers and senior leadership in written, oral, or visual formats.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with ERP/MRP systems a plus.
• Working knowledge of ITAR requirements and export control obligations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience supporting composite manufacturing programs in aerospace or defense.
• Background in composites engineering or manufacturing engineering.
• Experience with NRE, cost-to-complete, or program financial management.
• PMP certification.

Salary: $140,000 - $150,000